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CUPRA Born vs Renault R5 comparison

Compare performance (326 HP vs 150 HP), boot space and price (34,300 £ vs 24,000 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – CUPRA Born or Renault R5?

CUPRA Born vs Renault R5: Key differences

CUPRA Born

3.5 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially more power
  • marginally more efficient
  • noticeably more electric range
  • considerably quicker 0–100 km/h
  • moderately more trunk space
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Renault R5

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially cheaper
  • clearly lighter
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Born

Head-to-head: CUPRA Born vs Renault R5 — an electric hatchback comparison

CUPRA Born vs Renault R5 sets up a classic modern-versus-retro clash between two small electric hatchbacks with very different missions. The CUPRA Born arrives with a look and attitude that wants to be taken seriously at higher speeds and longer runs, while the Renault R5 trades on charm, city agility and personality. This comparison will focus on how each car feels day-to-day, how they carry people and luggage, and what kind of buyer they actually suit. Expect impressions on comfort, usability, perceived quality and the emotional case for each model rather than dry spec lists.

R5

Attitude check: sported-on-purpose vs cheeky throwback

The CUPRA Born wears a taut, purposeful stance — you can almost feel a set of sharper suspension tuning and a cabin that leans premium — whereas the Renault R5 is all about personality, playful graphics and easy smiles at the lights. In town the Renault R5’s cheeky styling and compact footprint make it a conversation piece and an easier companion for tight streets; the CUPRA Born projects a sportier, more upmarket presence that suits someone who wants an EV that still feels driver-focused. Both cars make distinct visual statements: one asserts modern performance, the other nostalgia with a wink. That difference in attitude is the single biggest clue to which one will fit your garage and your ego.

Born

Everyday lives: who gets the school run, who owns the motorway

When it comes to day-to-day practicality the CUPRA Born feels more accomplished on longer drives and carries the sort of calm you want on motorways and weekend escapes, while the Renault R5 shines in urban routines where parking, visibility and ease of use matter most. Families who squeeze in kid seats and a stroller will notice the Born’s more conventional proportions and flexibility, whereas single-city dwellers or second-car buyers will love how the Renault R5 dances through traffic and squeezes into tiny spaces. Comfort is different in each: the Born trades a bit of city nimbleness for composed cruising, the R5 trades that composure for charm and simplicity. Think about the miles you do most — that quickly reveals which car will feel like a better companion.

R5

Why you’ll tell yourself you bought it: justification and image

Buy the CUPRA Born and you get to tell people you chose a sharper, more grown-up electric with a sporty badge and a hint of premium finish — it’s a choice that says “I wanted the full EV experience with some edge.” Choose the Renault R5 and your buying story is lighter: design-led, fun, and refreshingly different from the anonymous commuter crowd, a decision that says you prioritise personality and city-friendly manners. Both narratives work; one leans on modern performance and perceived quality, the other on style, nostalgia and urban friendliness. Your social circle and how much you care about badges will make this one feel very easy — or surprisingly personal.

Born

Who should seriously consider the CUPRA Born

If your week includes long runs on fast roads, you value a composed cabin and sharper steering feedback, the CUPRA Born will feel like the grown-up pick that still has some fun in the corners. It suits buyers who want modern electric tech wrapped in a car that behaves more like a premium hatch than a city toy, and who appreciate slightly firmer suspension and a sleeker, more mature interior. Compared with the Renault R5, the Born is the one that will make longer trips less tiring and daily commutes feel brisker, especially if you favour a sportier image. In short: if calm confidence and a hint of performance are priorities, start your shortlist with the Born.

R5

Who should seriously consider the Renault R5 — and when the Born still makes sense

The Renault R5 is for buyers who put city-life usability, cheeky design and affordability above motorway manners — it’s the sort of car that makes tight parking and short hops genuinely enjoyable. If you value a distinctive look, easy visibility and a friendly cabin that stands out in a parking lot, the R5 is the playful urban option that will keep a smile on your face. That said, if your driving leans toward longer distances or you want a more planted, premium-feeling interior the CUPRA Born remains the better match for those needs. Read on for the hard figures and comparative data to sharpen which trade-offs matter most for your lifestyle.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Born

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Renault R5 is substantially cheaper – starting at 24,000 £ , while the CUPRA Born costs 34,300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 10,277 £.

In terms of energy consumption, the CUPRA Born is marginally more efficient: consuming 14.1 kWh/100km compared to 14.8 kWh/100km for the Renault R5. That’s a difference of about 0.7 kWh/100km.

As for electric range, the CUPRA Born offers noticeably more range – reaching up to 630 km, about 225 km more than the Renault R5.

R5

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the CUPRA Born offers substantially more power – delivering 326 HP compared to 150 HP. That’s roughly 176 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the CUPRA Born is considerably quicker – completing the sprint in 5.6 s, while the Renault R5 takes 8 s. That’s about 2.4 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the CUPRA Born delivers substantially more torque with 545 Nm compared to 245 Nm. That’s about 300 Nm more.

Born

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Renault R5 is clearly lighter – 1,447 kg compared to 1,899 kg. The difference is around 452 kg.

Looking at boot space, the CUPRA Born offers moderately more boot space – 385 L compared to 326 L. That’s a difference of about 59 L.

When it comes to payload, the CUPRA Born carries very slightly more – 461 kg compared to 418 kg. That’s a difference of about 43 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The CUPRA Born holds a decisive overall lead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £34,300
Born

CUPRA Born

  • Engine Type : Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Rear-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 190 - 326 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 14.1 - 14.4 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 484 - 630 km
CUPRA Born
Renault R5

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

CUPRA Born

The CUPRA Born blends sharp, athletic styling with a playful electric character, delivering hatchback agility and hot-hatch attitude whether you're darting through the city or cruising the open road. Inside, the cabin punches above its weight with smart materials and practical space, making it a compelling pick for buyers who want electric motoring without surrendering the grin.

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Renault R5

The Renault 5 blends classic styling cues with contemporary design, giving it a playful and characterful presence on the road. It’s a city-focused hatchback that feels nimble and cleverly packaged, ideal for drivers who want personality and practicality.

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CUPRA Born
Renault R5

Costs and Consumption

Price
34,300 - 43,700 £
Price
24,000 - 26,900 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
14.1 - 14.4 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
14.8 - 15.2 kWh/100km
Electric Range
484 - 630 km
Electric Range
307 - 405 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,899 - 2,004 kg
Curb weight
1,447 - 1,524 kg
Trunk capacity
385 L
Trunk capacity
326 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,809 mm
Width
1,744 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
426 - 461 kg
Payload
396 - 418 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
190 - 326 HP
Power HP
122 - 150 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.6 - 8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8 - 9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
350 - 545 Nm
Torque
225 - 245 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
140 - 240 kW
Power kW
90 - 110 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
-

General

Model Year
2026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
CUPRA
Brand
Renault
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.